Cosmic Circus Podcasts

’U are the Universe’, ’Dead Talents Society’, ’Else’, and ’Ghost Killer’ - Fantastic Fest 2024 Wrap-Up | Cosmic Circus Reviews

John & Vin close out their Fantastic Fest coverage with four great international movies. John also thanks the FF team for their care and support, and reflects on the festival overall.
U ARE THE UNIVERSE Written and directed by PAVLO OSTRIKOV Starring Volodymyr Kravchuk
GHOST KILLER Directed by Kensuke Sonomura Written by Yugo Sakamoto Starring Akari Takaishi, Mario Kuroba, Masanori Mimoto
ELSE Written and directed by Thibault Emin Co-Written with Alice Butaud, Emma Sandona Starring Lika Minamoto, Edith Proust, Matthieu Sampeur
DEAD TALENTS SOCIETY Written and Directed by John Hsu Co-Written with Kun-Lin Tsai Starring Bo-lin Chen, Sandrine Pinna, Gingle Wang
Timestamps 00:00 - Intros 02:40 - U Are the Universe 10:00 - Ghost Killer 14:05 - Else 19:15 - Dead Talents Society 23:45 - John on working as press at Fantastic Fest 2024 26:55 - Thank you to those co-ordinating and working at Fantastic Fest 2024 29:14 - Outros
 Find the video to this podcast on our YouTube channel @TheCosmicCircus
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

A Different Man, The Apprentice, Heretic -Fantastic Fest 2024 Days 4-5 | Cosmic Circus Reviews

John & Vin break down the fourth and fifth days of Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. Sebastian Stan double feature (A Different Man and The Apprentice), plus the Heretic!
A Different Man Written and directed by Aaron Schimberg Stars Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, and Adam Pearson
The Apprentice Directed by Ali Abbasi Written by Gabriel Sherman Stars Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump, with Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova, Martin Donovan
Heretic Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods Stars Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East.
Timestamps 00:10 - Intro 03:35 - A Different Man 13:10 - The Apprentice 26:30 - Heretic 37:25 - Outros
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
For the video version of this podcast visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frb9E6sXdfs
 

U Are The Universe Interview with Writer-Director Pavlo Ostrikov | Fantastic Fest 2024 | Exclusive Interview

Vin interviews writer-director Pavlo Ostrikov about his feature film debut U Are The Universe, a spectacular Ukrainian science fiction movie about depression, hope, and love. Tune in for production history, budget challenges, deleted scenes, influences, and more!
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 00:45 - Vin's reaction to seeing U Are The Universe 01:50 - The writer/director's journey to making this film 04:00 - Challenges to making this sci-fi film during the Ukrainian-Russian war. 08:53 - The robot, CGI and sets in the film 13:00 - What movies did he take inspiration from? 16:00 - The love story in U Are The Universe 17:00 - Finding the right actor to lead this film: Volodymyr Kravchuk 22:18 - Favorite behind the scenes moments or bloopers from filming. 26:00 - Film is a strong statement from Ukrainian film 28:48 - What is he working on next? 31:40 - Where to find him on social media, Outro
Find the video of this podcast on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiMPIEUg4_0
 
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

Will & Harper, The Wild Robot, Anora and more from Fantastic Fest 2024! | Cosmic Circus Reviews

We have another report and reviews from John of films shown at Fantastic Fest this week. Check out his conversation with Vin about it here. More information and time stamps below!
Anora Written, directed and edited by Sean Baker Stars Mikey Madison
Daniela Forever Written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo Stars Henry Golding and Beatrice Grannò
Saturday Night Written and directed by Jason Reitman, co-written by Gil Kenan Stars Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O'Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Kaia Gerber, Tommy Dewey, Willem Dafoe, Matthew Rhys, J. K. Simmons
The Wild Robot Written and directed by Chris Sanders Based on book series by Peter Brown Stars Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O'Hara, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames
Will & Harper documentary Directed by Josh Greenbaum Starring Will Ferrell and Harper Steele
TIMESTAMPS 00:10 - Intros 01:05 - Anora 06:55 - Daniela Forever 09:33 - Saturday Night 17:04 - The Wild Robot 21:16 - Will & Harper ("One of the best documentaries of this year" - John Dotson) 26:15 - U are the Universe 28:30 - Outros
Find John's written review of Anora and Saturday Night here: https://thecosmiccircus.com/fantastic-fest-2024-movie-reviews-anora-and-saturday-night/
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

The Rule of Jenny Pen and Never Let Go Movie Reviews From Fantastic Fest 2024! | Cosmic Circus Reviews

John & Vin discuss the first day of Fantastic Fest! A special one-week festival in Austin, Texas, that celebrates bold new horror films, from Hollywood and around the world. Fantastic Fest day one: Never Let Go and The Rule of Jenny Pen Never Let Go Directed by Alexandre Aja Starring Halle Berry The Rule of Jenny Pen Directed by James Ashcroft Starring Geoffrey Rush, John Lithgow.
 
Timestamps 00:10 - Intros 00:30 - What is Fantastic Fest and why is it so "fantastic?" 02:20 - Movies at Fantastic Fest 04:34 - The Rule of Jenny Pen movie review 10:22 - Never Let Go movie review 17:00 - Mac Sabbath experience 20:26 - What's coming up for Fantastic Fest 2024 (Anora and more...) 22:56 - Outros
 Find the video episode of this podcast on YouTube at https://youtu.be/pqby2sNh_vs?si=XEbD5OP-w0ON1Ev1
 
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

The Substance Movie Review with John & Vin! (SPOILERS) | Cosmic Circus Reviews

John & Vin dive deep into The Substance (2024), giving their thoughts on the filmmaking, themes, and SPOILERS! The Substance Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat Stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid Releases September 20, 2024
Timestamps 00:10 - Intro 00:41 - Expectations for The Substance, trailer talk and initial thoughts (no spoilers) 07:00 - Seeing with an audience, a dynamic experience 07:45 - Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley 09:30 - Walk outs during The Substance 11:30 - Props, set design and look of the film 12:15 - Dennis Quaid 13:10 - Negatives about the film 16:20 - Strong statements being made in The Substance 17:23 - Great soundtrack 17:40 - SPOILER TALK STARTS 34:00 - Outro
 
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

Transformers One Movie Review + Speak No Evil and Lee | Cosmic Circus Reviews

Vin reviews Transformers One, a new animated prequel in the Transformers franchise. He also gives a short update on other movies he's seen recently, including Speak No Evil and Lee.
Timestamps 00:10 - Intro 00:40 - Transformers One cast 03:40 - 80's cartoon and previous live action films vs this new one 05:30 - The world of Cybertron 06:30 - The story becomes a bit like an MCU film at a point. More movies or should it continue as a TV series 09:00 - Soundtrack and final thoughts on Transformers One 11:00 - Speak No Evil movie review 13:06 - Lee movie review 15:50 - Final thoughts and outro
 
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 

The Substance Movie First Reaction Review | Cosmic Circus Reviews

Vin gives a quick reaction review of The Substance, a new body horror film by Coralie Fargeat. The film stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid and will release September 20, 2024.
 
Timestamps 00:10 - Intro 00:25 - Warning to those who don't like gore or body horror films 00:45 - Positives about the film (no spoilers) 02:00 - Somewhat predictable story at first, then it goes wildly off the rails 03:50 - The Substance is one to watch during awards season 05:33 - Outros
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 
For a video of this podcast go to the YouTube channel https://youtu.be/2ExXtjs3V7U?si=fIguUWNHpObZ8YHp
 

Eternal (For Evigt) Movie Review + Strange Darling, Blink Twice, and Coup! | Cosmic Circus Reviews

Vin reviews Eternal (For Evigt), a new science fiction romance movie from Denmark. He also gives a short update on other movies he's seen recently, including Strange Darling, Blink Twice, and Coup!
Eternal (For Evigt) Written and Directed by Ulaa Salim Starring Simon Sears & Viktor Hjelmsøe as Elias, and Nanna Øland Fabricius & Anna Søgaard Frandsen as Anita VFX by Copenhagen Visuals
Coup! Written and Directed by Joseph Schuman & Austin Stark Starring Peter Sarsgaard and Billy Magnussen
Blink Twice Written and Directed by Zoë Kravitz Starring Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Adria Arjona, Kyle MacLachlan, Haley Joel Osment, and Geena Davis
Strange Darling Written and Directed by JT Mollner Starring Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner
Timestamps: 00:10 - Intro 01:45 - Initial thoughts on Eternal (For Evigt) 04:45 - Sci-fi element distracts from the movie, is not done as well as the romantic-drama element 09:49 - Thoughts on Coup movie 11:00 - Thoughts on Blink Twice movie 12:05 - Thoughts on Strange Darling movie 14:30 - Final thoughts on these films/outro
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com Follow us on social media @mycosmiccircus or visit the Linktree to find us: https://linktr.ee/cosmiccircus
 
For a video of this podcast go to the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SgKbk0C56k
 

’Red Rooms’ Movie Review with John & Vin! | Cosmic Circus Reviews

Red Rooms from writer-director Pascal Plante is already streaming in its home country of Canada, and will be released theatrically in the United States September 6. The French-language film stars Juliette Gariépy as Kelly-Anne and Laurie Babin as Clementine.  The basic premise is a story about justice and danger in the internet age, with elements of David Fincher (Seven, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Mr. Robot. 
You can find a video to this podcast on our YouTube channel @thecosmiccircus
Red Rooms movie review timestamps 00:10 - Intros 00:45 - Initial thoughts on the movie. 05.55 - Influences of David Fincher (Seven, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and this film's unusual approach to investigations. 12:30 - Comparisons to Searching, clever use of screens in Red Rooms. 13:45 - Trigger warnings, and violence depicted in the film. 15:00 - Red Rooms is a great film that no one is talking about yet. 16:00 - The soundtrack of the film. 17:45 - The building of pressure in the story, some unresolved feelings or things to think and talk about afterwards with other viewers. 18:55 - Cinematography and it's effect on the narrative of the story 21:00 - SPOILER discussion begins for Red Rooms 27:15 - Clementine as a flawed character and what she represents. 31:55 - The very "meta" opening of the film. 33:20 - Final thoughts on Utopia's Red Rooms 34:40 - Outros
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com

’The Crow’ (2024) Starring Bill Skarsgård | Cosmic Circus Reviews

The Crow is a new 2024 film adaptation of the 1989 comic by James O'Barr. Directed by Rupert Sanders and written by Zach Baylin & William Schneider, the film stars Bill Skarsgård as The Crow and FKA Twigs as Shelly. This is the first film adaptation of the comic since the 1994 cult classic of the same name, directed by Alex Proyas and written by David J. Schow & John Shirley, which starred Brandon Lee as The Crow.
Despite the different creative forces, the basic story of all three versions has remained the same: After Eric Draven and his girlfriend Shelly are unexpectedly murdered, Eric comes back from the dead for revenge! Join John and Vin as they sulk through the history of The Crow and compare the two films.
Timestamps 00:10 - Intros 00:45 - Discussing the 1994 cult classic The Crow film, starring Brandon Lee, and Lee's death during filming. 011:00 - The love story in The Crow comparisons to the original 15:45 - Spoiler discussions for the new film start. 28:00 - New The Crow film makes an effort to over explain everything and yet, the story falls flat and still seems to leave important characters feel underdeveloped and difficult to connect to. The script "feels like a first draft." 35:00 - Final/overall thoughts on The Crow (2024) 36:49 - Outros
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
 

Tatami - A Gripping High Stakes Sports/Political Drama | Cosmic Circus Reviews

Tatami is an Iranian-Israeli production based loosely on the real life story of exiled #judoka Saeid Mollaei. The film stars Arienne Mandi and Zar Amir Ebrahimi, and is directed by Ebrahimi and Guy Nattiv. Part sports tournament and part political drama, Tatami is one of the most harrowing and heroic experiences of the year.
Find the full video review on YouTube @TheCosmicCircus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS0N2Bg0-N8
 
Timestamps for this review of Tatami 00:10 - Intro 02:00 - Tatami is a high stakes sports drama mixed with a harrowing political drama and powerful performances 04:00 - Time flies by, deeply invested in the characters and harrowing story 05:45 - Cinematography and music 06:55 - Narration in English from sports casters adds a lot to it 07:25 - Emotionally gripping story 08:00 - Sets and stunts 09:45 - Highly recommended film if you like strong women, sports drama, political drama
 
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
 

Alien: Romulus | Cosmic Circus Reviews

Here's John and Vin's deep dive into the latest film in the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Álvarez and written by Álvarez & Rodo Sayagues. It stars Cailee Spaeny as Rain, David Jonsson as Andy, and Isabela Merced as Kay.
Find the full video review on YouTube @TheCosmicCircus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPpUhd1RUQ0
Alien: Romulus review timestamps 00:10 - Intro 01:00 - Initial reaction and spoiler free thoughts for Alien: Romulus. Is this The Force Awakens for Alien 10:00 - Other parallels with Star Wars. 12:15 - Watching Prometheus may add to the experience and explain some things 14:09 - Alien: Romulus in IMAX 15:30 - The quality of sets, props and cinematography 17:50 - Actor performances in the film 19:30 - New additions to android lore and theories 20:45 - Beginning of spoiler discussion for Alien: Romulus. Issues with new rules for alien development and hybrid alien growth. 34:45 - Mixing all of the previous films in one, Easter eggs, and call backs 41:19 - Ridley Scott's first film, and the lack of philosophical questions in Romulus. 47:00 - Ripley vs Rain as our main hero 49:30 - Feeling less connected with the new group of characters than some previous films 50:23 - A need for a woman to direct or write something in the Alien franchise finally 53:20 - Ranking the Alien films  55:00 - Talking about the upcoming Alien TV series 56:00 - Outro
John's early reaction to Romulus https://youtu.be/fiqL6Lz55b4?si=O5wqY9lms9EdIAdv
John and Vin's retrospective review of the Alien films https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7PtoNooZTA
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
 

Alien Movies Retrospective | Cosmic Circus Reviews

John & Vin reminisce over their first encounter with Alien and share their thoughts on the Alien film franchise ahead of the release of Alien: Romulus.
For the full video of this review go to YouTube @TheCosmicCircus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7PtoNooZTA
Timestamps
00:10 - Intros  (SPOILERS) 01:10 - Introduction to the Alien franchise 04:58 - James Cameron and Aliens 08:30 - Alien 3 Assembly Cut vs Theatrical cut, Aliens Special Edition vs theatrical cut 13:20 - Aliens, Terminator 2, Avatar & James Cameron. Parallels between films 18:15 - first Alien film and Romulus 19:00 - more on Alien 3 and Aliens 28:55 - Alien Resurrection 36:30 - Expectations for Alien: Romulus 40:44 - Would we want to see a new trilogy from Alien coming out of this, or something else such as a remake of Alien vs Predator? 43:35 - Alien cameo in Spaceballs 45:30 - Ridley Scott's Alien and that brilliant first reveal of the monster, Jaws in space 46:50 - Outros
For John's early reaction to Alien: Romulus go to https://youtu.be/fiqL6Lz55b4?si=imb4_CA6z5uaQQ9R
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com
 

The Count of Monte Cristo (2024) | Cosmic Circus Reviews

Vin reviews the 2024 French film The Count of Monte Cristo from directors Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte. Let us know below in the comments if you want to check out this movie when it hits theaters near you!
Find the full video review at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC0InqJz1eE
Timestamps 00:10 - Intro 00:35 - The story of The Count of Monte Cristo 01:30 - Cinematography and score of this new film 02:27 - Adapting the story from the famous book 03:55 - is a 3 hour movie too long or not enough time to tell this story? 04:45 - The Count of Monte Cristo as an inspiration for superhero and masked vigilantes seeking justice in films and a classic archetype. 05:55 - The Three Musketeers - Part I: D'Artagnan and The Three Musketeers - Part II: Milady, 2023 films from the same filmmakers. 06:36 - Outros
For more nerdy pop culture coverage, including movie and TV news, reviews, and interviews by The Cosmic Circus contributors, visit https://www.thecosmiccircus.com